Myomectomy

Topic Contents

Myomectomy

Surgery Overview

Myomectomy is the surgical removal of
fibroids from the uterus. It allows the uterus to be
left in place and, for some women, makes pregnancy more likely than before.
Myomectomy is the preferred fibroid treatment for
women who want to become pregnant. After myomectomy, your chances of pregnancy
may be improved but are not guaranteed.

Before myomectomy,
shrinking fibroids with
gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH-a) therapy may reduce blood loss from the surgery. GnRH-a therapy lowers
the amount of estrogen your body makes. If you have bleeding from a fibroid,
GnRH-a therapy can also improve
anemia before surgery by stopping uterine bleeding for
several months.

Surgical methods for myomectomy include:

Hysteroscopy,
which involves inserting a lighted viewing instrument through the vagina and
into the uterus.

Laparoscopy, which uses a lighted
viewing instrument and one or more small cuts (incisions) in the
abdomen.

A fibroid that has changed
the wall of the uterus. This can sometimes cause infertility. Before an
in vitro fertilization, myomectomy is often done to
improve the chances of pregnancy.

How Well It Works

Myomectomy decreases pelvic pain
and bleeding from fibroids.

Pregnancy

Myomectomy is the only fibroid treatment that may improve your
chances of having a baby. It is known to help with a certain kind of fibroid
called a submucosal fibroid. But it does not seem to improve pregnancy chances
with any other kind of fibroid.footnote 1

After myomectomy, a
cesarean section may be needed for delivery. This
depends in part on where and how big the myomectomy incision is.

Recurrence

Fibroids return after surgery in 10 to 50 out of 100 women, depending on the original fibroid problem. Fibroids that were
larger and more numerous are most likely to recur.footnote 2
Talk to your doctor about whether your type of fibroid is likely to grow back.

Risks

Risks may
include the following:

Infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or
ovaries (pelvic infection) may occur.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.